Geckos

Wherever ones goes in Namibia there are geckos – the real ones (Namibia has 12 families of gecko), and the decorative ones.  Geckos are a type of lizard with some really unique features. Firstly, the noise they make to communicate with other geckos is unique to this type of lizard. In fact the English word “gecko” originates […]

Two Books: “It’s me, Anna” by Elbie Lötter & “Dead Before Dying” by Deon Meyer

I have recently read two books, both by South African authors, that I would like to share. Both books were originally written and published in Afrikaans, so if you can speak Afrikaans I would suggest reading them in the original language. Afrikaans is such a descriptive language that it does not translate as powerfully into […]

On the road to Nowhere

On a deserted road in Namibia, we came across this old rusted vehicle on the side of the road. It was a sight which would be repeated a number of times in our travels there, and got me to wondering how the vehicle got there and why was it left there. Did it break down […]

Rosie is a brave bear

For years when people asked me whether Rosie was a good watch dog, I’d say she has excellent hearing and an impressive bark but that she is not a very brave little bear. Often if there was a strange noise at night, she would leap up barking, but then expect one of us to follow her […]

What’s on my iPod?

I have mentioned before that I love listening to podcasts. Way back I wrote about my favourite “Bedtime Stories” (click on link), and although I still do listen to those podcasts, I have added several more to my playlist. You can listen to episodes from the podcast archives on the websites (you can link to […]

Living with chronic pain and depression

I never imagined that I’d ever write this post. Notes from Africa has always been my “happy place” – somewhere I can create positive energy. But I’ve decided it’s important to share my story. Maybe it will help somebody feel they are not alone. Maybe it will help a family member or friend of somebody […]

Insanity?

I am about to embark on something totally insane. I mean in the “extreme foolishness or irrationality” sense of the word. Some people I know may believe that “the state of being seriously mentally ill” might also apply to me, and maybe it does . . . So without dragging it out any further, here […]

Blood moon: Supermoon lunar eclipse 2015

Although we have previously experienced a Supermoon event (see: Under an African Moon), a lunar eclipse of a supermoon is a very rare event. The last one occurred in 1982, and the next one is not due until 2033. This year we would be able to see it in our time zone from Monday 28 […]

May the Wors be with you

With twelve public holidays annually, South Africa has one of the highest holiday counts in the world.  Besides a number of cultural and religious public holidays there are also some non-official days of celebration, which are strategically important for the psyche of the nation. Today is Braai Day.  That is braai as in barbecue, a time-honoured activity […]

Lion Spotting on the Photoblog

In the future I will be posting our very best photos on the Notes from Africa Photoblog. What started off as a casual hobby and a means to illustrate my blog, has become a more serious hobby. Over the years we have upgraded our photographic equipment. Willie especially is taking some very professional looking photos – which really […]